My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a

cake is

her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate,

box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her

blow out the

indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to

and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

you have to say it in your heart and not out loud,

girl who wasn’t even

clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began

say thank you!” their parents

their paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank you,

back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

well pretend it

on upstairs, then. It’s been

turned and

was inside her apartment and about to

slam, the door was propped open

her, his darkened face made all

out on business?

explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying

you’ve been getting along

she took two steps

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto

you wouldn’t want

he approached her, forcing her

no idea

hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged